Exercise improves quality of life for children with autism

Study shows exercise improves
quality of life for children with autism

New
research has found that regular exercise improves
communication behaviours among children with autism.

The
findings are the result of a four-month collaborative study
between researchers from Achilles International and the New
York Medical College, funded by the Cigna Foundation in
America.

The study measured the effect of the Achilles
Kids running programme, with 94 students with autism across
five schools taking part. It assessed restrictive and
repetitive behaviours, social interaction and communication,
emotional response and cognitive style. The research found
that regular exercise helped improve the students overall
quality of life – helping them engage in everyday social
situations, reducing their anxiety and in turn improving
their peers acceptance and inclusion.

“The results are
extremely encouraging as millions of parents, caregivers and
medical professionals grapple with how to best support
children on the autism spectrum,” says Jo Walker, Chair of
Achilles New Zealand.

Wellington mother Elizabeth Abbey
can further validates the findings. Her son Ethan, who has
Asperger's syndrome, runs with Achilles.

“Exercise has
been an integral part of Ethan’s life. We were adamant
that his disability wouldn’t impact on his quality of life
and from a young age we made sure he was very active,
regularly running, swimming and hiking.

“As he got older
we noticed that after a run he was calmer, less anxious and
more lucid in his conversation. He even said he felt
better,” says Elizabeth.

Following the death of
Ethan’s father last year Elizabeth knew she needed to keep
him running. Alongside other networks Ethan is involved with
Achilles seemed tailor made for their needs.

“The
fortnightly runs fulfil much of the role his father did –
the guides are young, active and like-minded and offer a
community and support network that enables Ethan to run
longer distances regularly which really help him.”

The
support offered by Achilles meant that Ethan was able to
take part in this year’s Cigna Round the Bays – an event
he has taken part in every year since he first ran it with
his father in 1991.

Dane Dougan, Chief Executive Autism
New Zealand, says it is interesting to see the positive
results of the research. “What works for one person with
autism may not necessarily work for another. However, these
findings show the benefit of building exercise into a daily
routine and how it can positively help people with autism
live to their full potential.

“As an evidence based
organisation it is great to see this type of research being
undertaken. With autism affecting roughly 1 in 70 New
Zealanders there is a lot that we can learn from these
findings to help create change in a positive way.”

In
America the Achilles Kids school-based running curriculum
helps adaptive physical education teachers—whose students
include children with autism—implement a running-based
program in their schools. The students are given the goal of
running 26.2 miles—the marathon distance—in a school
year.

The school-based study was funded by World of
Difference grants given to Achilles in 2014 and 2015 by
long-time partner Cigna Foundation. Existing literature on
this topic often examined small sample sizes or
community-based programs, and so the Achilles and NYMC teams
sought to quantifying extensive anecdotal evidence observed
by Achilles showing physical, social, emotional and academic
improvement in children with autism spectrum disorder who
regularly ran with their program as part of their school
day.

The study was released late last year at the Academy
of Paediatric Physical Therapy’s Section on Paediatrics
Annual Conference (SoPAC). A copy of the research is
available on request.

For more information about Achilles
New Zealand visit http://www.achillesnewzealand.org/ and
watch a video showing the Achilles team at Cigna Round the
Bays and what it meant for them to be part of the
event.

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